"Transfer to Rome" by bus with Holland America?

[MiniMoustic]

Hello,

 

You know the schedule of the “Transfer to Rome” by bus with Holland America?

 

It leaves the port at about 8:30 am and arrives at Roma at what time?

It leaves Roma at what time and arrives at Civitavecchia at what time?

 

Is it faster by bus? Or by train? We have more time to visit Roma with the transfer by bus without anxiety to miss the boat?

 

Merci ;)

[barriedavis]

If you want to be herded around behind others similarly worried about missing the boat, waiting for the stragglers, listening to the angst, worrying whether the traffic in the Italian capital will ease in time for your return journey, paying over the odds for the priviledge - get the bus. If having the guarantee that the boat will wait for you regardless of all else is most important to you, go with it. If you want to be the master of your own fortunes, join the several hundred people who will take the shuttle bus to the port gates (10 minutes), 15 minute walk to the station, 50 to 60 minute train ride to the centre of Rome, (passing the Vatican on the way), having lunch when you feel like it, seing what you want, returning in time is within you own control. Just leave the ship as early as you can, check the times of several return trains at Termini station and make sure you get there in time to get one of them. If all else fails, you can always get a taxi back but this will not be necessary if you plan properly. I have taken this trip at least 6 times and always got bck with hours to spare.

[Cruzin Terri]

Hello,

 

You know the schedule of the “Transfer to Rome” by bus with Holland America?

 

It leaves the port at about 8:30 am and arrives at Roma at what time?

It leaves Roma at what time and arrives at Civitavecchia at what time?

 

Is it faster by bus? Or by train? We have more time to visit Roma with the transfer by bus without anxiety to miss the boat?

 

Merci ;)

Last September we got off the ship at 7 am when it docked, walked to the train station (10 min) and boarded the 8 am train. We were at St. Peter's station at 8:55. Coming back, we took a train about 4:30 pm and were back on the ship by 6:00. All went well. We had a free day in Rome and plenty of time to see what we planned. It cost much less than HAL's transfer to Rome and had more time. I think we paid 8 Euros for the fare that also let us use the buses in Rome. Get the BIRG ticket.

Terri

[CruiserBruce]

I think the OP may have been referring to the bus that would simply shuttle you to a central location, and run regular shuttles to/from that central location. NOT an tour situation with the truly annoying and real issues covered so emphatically in post #2.

 

That being said, I don't have any info to help the OP.:rolleyes:

Edited July 17, 2009 by CruiserBruce

[MiniMoustic]

Last September we got off the ship at 7 am when it docked, walked to the train station (10 min) and boarded the 8 am train. We were at St. Peter's station at 8:55. Coming back, we took a train about 4:30 pm and were back on the ship by 6:00. All went well. We had a free day in Rome and plenty of time to see what we planned. It cost much less than HAL's transfer to Rome and had more time. I think we paid 8 Euros for the fare that also let us use the buses in Rome. Get the BIRG ticket.

Terri

 

Hi,

Yes, i was talking about the shuttle to a central location:o

The train to Civitavecchia stop at St. Peter's station ? Before the Civitavecchia station or another train ?

[Cruzin Terri]

Hi,

Yes, i was talking about the shuttle to a central location:o

The train to Civitavecchia stop at St. Peter's station ? Before the Civitavecchia station or another train ?

It is the same train. St. Peter's Station is about 55 minutes from Civitavecchia. The main station is about 1 1/4 hours.

About 20 minutes difference.

Terri

[Cruzin Terri]

Coming back, go to the main Terminal. If you don't you may not get a seat. Buy a round trip at Civitavecchia on the way to Rome. Make sure you get the ticket validated.

The train to Civitavecchia is at the very back of the train station. The staiton is huge and it is a good ten minute walk to get to the train. At the time you want to return there are many trains because it is rush hour.

Terri

[wander]

Several years ago, midday while folks were in Rome the railroad folks called a totally unexpected wildcat strike. (Happens occasionally in Italy.) Many taxi drivers went home that evening with a nice wad of money in their pockets.

[MiniMoustic]

Coming back, go to the main Terminal. If you don't you may not get a seat. Buy a round trip at Civitavecchia on the way to Rome. Make sure you get the ticket validated.

The train to Civitavecchia is at the very back of the train station. The staiton is huge and it is a good ten minute walk to get to the train. At the time you want to return there are many trains because it is rush hour.

Terri

 

Thank Terri for the info for St. Peter's Station.... It’s were we want to begin .... Near the Vatican. We will be there a Sunday …. Maybe no rush hour ... but some hours not cover like 17h00 ... So we have to do our homework .....

 

When you buy a round trip at Civitavecchia on the way to Rome, do you have to tell Which train you are going to take for come back?

 

Sorry for my strange english ....:p

[Cruzin Terri]

Thank Terri for the info for St. Peter's Station.... It’s were we want to begin .... Near the Vatican. We will be there a Sunday …. Maybe no rush hour ... but some hours not cover like 17h00 ... So we have to do our homework .....

 

When you buy a round trip at Civitavecchia on the way to Rome, do you have to tell Which train you are going to take for come back?

 

Sorry for my strange english ....:p

 

No you do not. But you must validate your ticket at both ends in the yellow box. If you do not, you face a stiff fine if they check.

The box is located near the entrance to the ticket office in Civ. and in Rome there are anumber of them as soon as you get into the staiton.

 

There may be an abbreviated schedule on Sundays. Go to trenitalia web site

terri

[Cruzin Terri]

The schedules are:

Civitavecchia Arrive Rome

7:32-- 8:50

7:52-- 9:20

7:59 --9:50

 

Return:

Rome Arrive Civitavecchia

3:46 --4:35

4:09-- 5:13

4:39 --5:57

6:05-- 6:47(Express-more money)

 

The fare is 8.50 Euros.

 

I think you could safely get the 7:52 in the morning and the absolute last train I would take back is the 4:39. That gives you some leeway if you are delayed. In my recollection HAL leaves at 8pm.

 

Terri

[sail7seas]

I cannot encourage you strongly enough to do the HAL bus round trip transfer between port and Rome.

 

We know Rome very well and have spent considerable time there.

When we were cruising with two other couples who had never been to Rome before (or Europe, for that matter), we agreed the bus transfer for the day was the safest and would make the best use of our time.

 

DH and I mapped out our day for the six of us to include as much as possible for them to see and using HAL's bus made it perfect for us.

 

It dropped us at a central location though I don't remember now the exact spot and we were told what time to return.

 

We galloped off and had the greatest day imagineable, safe and secure in the knowledge that as long as we presented ourselves back at the bus at the appointed time, we would be safe in terms of return to the ship. If the bus arrived late, we would be taken care of as it was an HAL bus.

 

Do it. I wouldn't dream of trusting train schedule in Italy or even public bus. I don't want to wave to a ship leaving without us aboard.

 

Edited July 18, 2009 by sail7seas

[Cruzin Terri]

I cannot encourage you strongly enough to do the HAL bus round trip transfer between port and Rome.

 

We know Rome very well and have spent considerable time there.

When we were cruising with two other couples who had never been to Rome before (or Europe, for that matter), we agreed the bus transfer for the day was the safest and would make the best use of our time.

 

DH and I mapped out our day for the six of us to include as much as possible for them to see and using HAL's bus made it perfect for us.

 

It dropped us at a central location though I don't remember now the exact spot and we were told what time to return.

 

We galloped off and had the greatest day imagineable, safe and secure in the knowledge that as long as we presented ourselves back at the bus at the appointed time, we would be safe in terms of return to the ship. If the bus arrived late, we would be taken care of as it was an HAL bus.

 

Do it. I wouldn't dream of trusting train schedule in Italy or even public bus. I don't want to wave to a ship leaving without us aboard.

 

While I agree with you that it is the surest way not to miss the ship, the savings in terms of dollars is phenomenal. We took the transfer in Livorno to Florence and it cost a fortune. However, for that port it is difficult to get to the train station.

Last year the transfer to Rome was $95 pp as opposed to 8.50 Euros each. That is a BIG difference. If you have a sense of adventure, it will work. We had no trouble at all and would take the train again if we did that sailing again. Most of the people on the return train were on a ship.

Terri

Edited July 18, 2009 by tbrein

[sail7seas]

I fully understand your point but also hope you notice how often trains shut down due to unannounced strikes. Public transportation in Italy can be very undependable.

 

Most of the time, public bus/train will reliably get you from here to there but you don't want to be the one who has to find their way to the next port because you did not get back to the ship on time. That could be very pricey.

 

Each makes their own choices.

 

Whichever transportation you use, OP........ hope you have a fantastic day in that incredible city. Plan your time carefully in advance in order to see and do as much as possible. So much to see there you need to pick your priorities.

 

 

 

[MiniMoustic]

Last September we got off the ship at 7 am when it docked, walked to the train station (10 min) and boarded the 8 am train. We were at St. Peter's station at 8:55. Coming back, we took a train about 4:30 pm and were back on the ship by 6:00. All went well. We had a free day in Rome and plenty of time to see what we planned. It cost much less than HAL's transfer to Rome and had more time. I think we paid 8 Euros for the fare that also let us use the buses in Rome. Get the BIRG ticket.

Terri

 

 

Hello Terri,

 

Where did you buy your BIRG ticket ?

[coldinreno]

If you want to be herded around behind others similarly worried about missing the boat, waiting for the stragglers, listening to the angst, worrying whether the traffic in the Italian capital will ease in time for your return journey, paying over the odds for the priviledge - get the bus. If having the guarantee that the boat will wait for you regardless of all else is most important to you, go with it. If you want to be the master of your own fortunes, join the several hundred people who will take the shuttle bus to the port gates (10 minutes), 15 minute walk to the station, 50 to 60 minute train ride to the centre of Rome, (passing the Vatican on the way), having lunch when you feel like it, seing what you want, returning in time is within you own control. Just leave the ship as early as you can, check the times of several return trains at Termini station and make sure you get there in time to get one of them. If all else fails, you can always get a taxi back but this will not be necessary if you plan properly. I have taken this trip at least 6 times and always got bck with hours to spare.

 

Well said. This is the best plan. Our motto, avoid the herd if at all possible.

[Cruzin Terri]

Hello Terri,

 

Where did you buy your BIRG ticket ?

 

At the train station in Civitavecchia. Just ask for a round trip ticket to Roma and then just mention BIRG.

The website says the ticket is 8.50 Euros.

There is also a website that tells you about the scheduled strikes in Italy. All that are happening are in July and September and not in the Rome area.

However, just go to Google and enter "strikes Italy" and a number of websites will come up that tell you about the strikes.

I really don't think you will have to worry too much about that.

I feel that if by any chance a strike occurs, there will be plenty of taxis around. It will cost you, but probably not any more than the cost of two tickets on the transfer bus.

Have a wonderful time. When do you leave?

Terri

[MiniMoustic]

At the train station in Civitavecchia. Just ask for a round trip ticket to Roma and then just mention BIRG.

The website says the ticket is 8.50 Euros.

There is also a website that tells you about the scheduled strikes in Italy. All that are happening are in July and September and not in the Rome area.

However, just go to Google and enter "strikes Italy" and a number of websites will come up that tell you about the strikes.

I really don't think you will have to worry too much about that.

I feel that if by any chance a strike occurs, there will be plenty of taxis around. It will cost you, but probably not any more than the cost of two tickets on the transfer bus.

Have a wonderful time. When do you leave?

Terri

 

We leave for Venice August 23rd for trip of 24 days on the Oosterdam. We will be in Roma on September 13th. Hope for no strike :eek:..... We have a lot of planning to do for this trip. Approximately 16 different cities to be planned. That’s part of the pleasure the planning. Thank you for your help Terri.

[Cruzin Terri]

We leave for Venice August 23rd for trip of 24 days on the Oosterdam. We will be in Roma on September 13th. Hope for no strike :eek:..... We have a lot of planning to do for this trip. Approximately 16 different cities to be planned. That’s part of the pleasure the planning. Thank you for your help Terri.

We did the same trip last year on the Zuiderdam for 24 days except we started in Barcelona. It was wonderful. Each port brought a new adventure. I had the time of my life.

I hope you enjoy every minute of your cruise. If you have more questions I'll be glad to help.

Terri

[Harry1954]

I strongly suggest you look up the Italian word scaricare because it haunts all foreigners who are attempting to depend on timeliness of train schedules. We have experienced strikes that lasted for two hours or two days .. they are random and are for reasons that never make sense to us. However it is a cultural thing and who are we to criticize them. Hence, we avoid trains when we have serious time limitations. Take the HAL bus as S7S suggested.

harry

[Cruzin Terri]

I strongly suggest you look up the Italian word scaricare because it haunts all foreigners who are attempting to depend on timeliness of train schedules. We have experienced strikes that lasted for two hours or two days .. they are random and are for reasons that never make sense to us. However it is a cultural thing and who are we to criticize them. Hence, we avoid trains when we have serious time limitations. Take the HAL bus as S7S suggested.

harry

The word you are looking for is "scioperi"

There are no strikes on the day she is going to be in Rome. The strikes are not "wildcat" but planned. If one does their homework one will know when the strikes will occur and plan around it.

Terri

[sos1720]

Take the HAL bus: no hassle, no validations, on time, right at the pier, nice ride and most of all, no stress!

[Cruzin Terri]

Take the HAL bus: no hassle, no validations, on time, right at the pier, nice ride and most of all, no stress!

And lots of money

[MiniMoustic]

…. Thank you all ….. We have 2 differents plans. The bus and the train. We still have some days to take the decision :confused: .... Truly my husband will take the decison. I make the researches and he take the decision .... :D

[Harry1954]

The word you are looking for is "scioperi"

There are no strikes on the day she is going to be in Rome. The strikes are not "wildcat" but planned. If one does their homework one will know when the strikes will occur and plan around it.

Terri

sorry, thanks for the correction .. the verb should have been scioperare. That is what one gets for not having anyone to speak to in Italian in their town .. or is it turning 60? Regarding timing, we have been in places in Italy when they have turned up on short notice which was posted at the train station - hence not a wildcatter. Granted we knew several hours in advance, but if one is arriving by ship, how do it know?

harry